Obituary of
Bilitz, Otto Arthur
Otto Arthur Bilitz, 76 years old, passed away on September 13, 2021. He leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years, Joy Bilitz, their three children Mickey Kaiser, Eric Bilitz and Noel Schaefers, and their four amazing grandchildren Neil Kaiser, Vince Kaiser, Sammi Bilitz, and Joe Bilitz.
Otto grew up in Morris Hills, New Jersey. He was introduced to Joy in 1964 by his best friend and Joy’s cousin and they married August 5, 1967. The couple moved St. Louis, Missouri where Otto began his career at Singer Sewing Machines. Otto’s advancement would cause him and Joy to move 7 times in their first 11 years of marriage before raising their children in Indianapolis, Indiana for 15 years, and finally settling in Flower Mound, Texas for the last 28 years of his life.
Otto excelled in the sewing industry due to his work ethic and unparalleled technical knowledge. He retired from Mitsubishi Electric in 2011 after a 47-year career filled with sales records and other professional achievements. After his retirement, he maintained friendships with many of his colleagues and visited his former office frequently.
Otto had an unparalleled ability to fix anything mechanical, particularly if he had a 7/16 wrench and a roll of duct-tape. His technical know-how was not limited to his professional life; he once revived a family lawn mower with iv tubing and pantyhose. His mechanical acumen skipped a generation but thrives in his grandsons.
Otto enjoyed crafts his whole life dabbling in woodworking and crocheting but his creative passions flourished when he started making stained glass in 1997. He was quickly hooked and converted half their garage into makeshift studio. For many years he perfected his craft, developed friendships with other glass artists, and advanced into hot glass and sandblasting. His skills developed so much that he and Joy sold his artwork at local craft fairs, and he made all of the centerpieces for his daughter Noel’s wedding.
Even more than his mechanical skills & creativity, Otto was known for his quick wit. For 76 years, Otto made friends and strangers chuckle (or more frequently groan) with a good pun like “buy an adding machine, it is the only thing that counts”. His love of dad jokes was passed on to his son and grandsons.
Joy was his greatest happiness and the love of his life. He loved being with her whether jumping the waves in the Atlantic Ocean or sitting outside Esparza’s in Grapevine, Texas, while Joy sipped a frozen margarita. Otto was an adoring father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family, whether he was teaching Mickey to waterski on Tablerock Lake, learning to scuba dive with Eric, building an electrostatic generator with Noel for her science fair project, teaching Neil or Vince how to fish at local ponds, having Joe teach him how to use a new iPhone, or recently celebrating Sammi’s 21st birthday in Las Vegas. He frequently said he was so blessed to have his wife and his family.
A funeral mass to celebrate Otto’s life will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 Wildwood Lane in Grapevine, Texas at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Catholic Charities Fort Worth, P.O. Box 15610 Fort Worth, Texas 76119 or online at https://catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/get-involved/donate/
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Bilitz, Otto Arthur
I’m sorry to read where Otto passed away. I remember Otto and how funny he was. I’ve been trying to find you on Facebook, Joy. This is Chris Pierce, your next door neighbor from St. Joseph, MO. If you get this friend me on Facebook under Chris Brew Pierce or email me.
Chris Pierce
Thursday January 26, 2023
I’m sorry to read where Otto passed away. I remember Otto and how funny he was. I’ve been trying to find you on Facebook, Joy. This is Chris Pierce, your next door neighbor from St. Joseph, MO. If you get this friend me on Facebook under Chris Brew Pierce or email me.
We spo enjoyed being with Otto whenever he joined us to share a meal or go on an outing. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor that always made us laugh. We so miss him and are holding Joy and his family in our hearts. Love to all.
Janeen ^ Chuck
Thursday October 13, 2022
We spo enjoyed being with Otto whenever he joined us to share a meal or go on an outing. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor that always made us laugh. We so miss him and are holding Joy and his family in our hearts. Love to all.
My thoughts and prayers to Joy and family. Otto will be missed.
Barry
Thursday October 13, 2022
My thoughts and prayers to Joy and family. Otto will be missed.
Otto will be greatly missed. May he Rest In Peace.
My thoughts & prayers are with you Joy & the family.
Lyndra Watson
Thursday October 13, 2022
Otto will be greatly missed. May he Rest In Peace.
My thoughts & prayers are with you Joy & the family.
My loving thoughts
and prayers are with,
Joy!
Marilyn Webb
Thursday October 13, 2022
My loving thoughts
and prayers are with,
Joy!
What a sad loss for our Senior Group. We all had so much fun with Otto and will miss him so much. I know that Otto knew that Joy would be okay with the love and support that our group has for one another.
Of course what we will miss the most will be Otto’s wonderful one liners.
Our hearts and prayers go to all the family.
Lanny & Debbye Stone
Lanny & Debbye Stone
Thursday October 13, 2022
What a sad loss for our Senior Group. We all had so much fun with Otto and will miss him so much. I know that Otto knew that Joy would be okay with the love and support that our group has for one another.
Of course what we will miss the most will be Otto’s wonderful one liners.
Our hearts and prayers go to all the family.
Lanny & Debbye Stone
I have loved you since you married my younger sister. I will miss you my little Brp ❤️
Margaret Poisson
Thursday October 13, 2022
I have loved you since you married my younger sister. I will miss you my little Brp ❤️
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Love you,Joy.
Brenda Stovall
Thursday October 13, 2022
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Love you,Joy.
My condolences to Joy and the family of Otto. May the Lord bless and keep you in this time of grief and comfort you.
Sandra Bradford
Thursday October 13, 2022
My condolences to Joy and the family of Otto. May the Lord bless and keep you in this time of grief and comfort you.
Will miss Otto fishing with me & watching the alligator getting the snake. You and your sense of humor will be missed
Wayne Watson
Thursday October 13, 2022
Will miss Otto fishing with me & watching the alligator getting the snake. You and your sense of humor will be missed
Otto you will be missed and thought of frequently
Love ya
Mickey OConnor
Thursday October 13, 2022
Otto you will be missed and thought of frequently
Love ya
Great Man, Father and Uncle….May he R.I.P.
Paul
Thursday October 13, 2022
Great Man, Father and Uncle….May he R.I.P.